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Steffi

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Steffi

Pronounced STEF-ee /ˈstɛf.i/High

Meaning: Steffi is a short form of Stephanie — the feminine of Stephen, from Greek stephanos, 'crown' or 'garland'. The -i ending gives it a German and Central European flavor, and it was given as a stand-alone first name as well as a nickname.Medium

In 30 seconds: Steffi is a bright pet form of Stephanie, Greek for 'crown' or 'garland' (said 'STEF-ee'), with a German lilt to the -i spelling.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningSteffi is a short form of Stephanie — the feminine of Stephen, from Greek stephanos, 'crown' or 'garland'. The -i ending gives it a German and Central European flavor, and it was given as a stand-alone first name as well as a nickname.

U.S. rank (2019)#17654 ↘ Falling

2019 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 532

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Steffi is the German-style short form of Stephanie, ultimately from Greek stephanos, a 'crown' or 'garland' awarded to victors. In America it appeared both as an affectionate nickname and, in small numbers, as a first name in its own right.

It saw its modest peak in the late 1980s and has stayed rare since, most recognizable as a friendly diminutive. Steffi rides on Stephanie's coattails rather than showing an independent revival.

Did you know? Tennis champion Steffi Graf made the nickname globally familiar right around its late-1980s American peak, though the short form was already in use before her rise.

Overall data confidence 70%

References — Stephanie / stephanos — Greek 'crown, garland'; Steffi pet form

Variations

SteffieSteffyStefi

Nicknames

Steph

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Steffi…

Stephanie— the full parent name Steffi shortens

Tiffany— a same-era name with a bright -y/-i ending

Stacy— another clipped -y feminine of the period

Sofi— shares the -fi ending

Sandra— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Steffi

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Steffi mean?

Steffi is a short form of Stephanie, from Greek, meaning 'crown' or 'garland'.

How do you pronounce Steffi?

It's said STEF-ee /ˈstɛf.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Steffi a boy or girl name?

Steffi is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Steffi?

Uncommon — a scattered pet form of Stephanie that peaked in the late eighties.